The Penguins will finally play at home after a grueling five game road trip out west. The team was given yesterday off in order to get some much-needed rest. The team definitely needs rest, but they also need to get healthy again. Some of those injured players were skating before the team today
Yesterday both Oskar Sundqvist and Josh Archibald were returned to the Baby Penguins. Matt Cullen is no longer a game-time decision and Patric Hornqvist could be closer to returning as he is participating at the morning skate today. We should also be getting an update on Ron Hainsey’s injury. He left during the Flyers game and did not return. The early signs aren’t great for Hainsey. Derrick Pouliot has been recalled. It is my understanding that the four AHL call ups a team is allowed post trade deadline applies to those players playoff eligibility. Derrick Pouliot is already eligible for the NHL playoffs this year because of the paper transaction move made on deadline day.
It looks like Pouliot might actually play
In 115 minutes together Pouliot and Cole have a a shot attempt for percentage of 59.4%. Not the biggest sample, but a successful one.
Since their game against the Flyers on Wednesday night, the team has dropped in the standings. The Penguins were a sliver away from taking over first place in the division, but the loss allowed Washington to regain a three point lead and the Columbus Blue Jackets also have pass the flightless birds.
The Art Ross and Rocket Richard races have also taken a negative turn for the superstar Penguins pair. The game last night featuring the Bruins against the Oilers did not favors. Brad Marchand won’t stop scoring goals and he now has 37 on the year. He leads the league in both goals and points (79). Connor McDavid also picked up another three points.
You can’t rule out a hot streak from Sid or Geno and that is what it will take to get back into this thing. Compared to the other leaders they just haven’t played in as many games. Given that a lot of the Hart Trophy voters lean on counting stats they are probably going to lose out on any chance of winning that award too. Evgeni Malkin is still your league leader in points per 60 at both even-strength and all situations.
Regardless of how the scoring race or Hart Trophy voting ends up both Penguins superstars are having wonderful years and in the same season. That hasn’t been as common as it should have been all these years. Injuries suck.
Michelle Crechiolo wrote a great piece on both Sid and Geno for the Penguins website. It does a nice job of highlighting the relationship that the star players have with one another.
"We're pretty tight," Malkin said. "He's a nice guy. Sometimes guys with talent like Sid are a little bit different, but he's friendly, his family is real friendly too. I'm glad to have met Sid and we talk a little bit more about his life, my life. He's really open to talk every day."
Particularly when things aren't going well on the ice.
"I remember I had a couple tough situations, like I wasn't scoring, I was a little bit frustrated," Malkin said. "He comes to me and said don't worry, play your game, we'll help you and I started to play better because he supported me. He understands my situation when guys aren't scoring in like 10 games. It's tough, you lose confidence. He came to me and we've talked a little bit and he's nice."
Malkin is in it for the long haul
"I hope we play our whole lives here," Malkin said. "I don't want to move to a different city. I'd like to play here. I like to play with Sid. With this team, this young group, I just do my best and I know Sid works hard too. We're just trying to win again and get as many Cups as we can.
"It's not easy because sometimes there's injury, sometimes there's just not luck. But we will try to of course win more. It's not easy, but we've played 10 years together already. We won two Cups, but maybe we'll play 10 more years together and we'll win a couple more. Why not?"
There is plenty more in Michelle’s article and it is well worth reading the entire piece.
Phil Kessel scored an awesome shootout goal to clinch victory against the Edmonton Oilers, but he hasn’t scored during regular game action in quite some time. He’s in a slump. It happens. Hell, Alex Ovechkin just went ten games without scoring and you can count on one hand who has been better at scoring goals in the history of hockey.
Kessel’s drought has lasted longer at 13 games. He isn’t shooting as often as he should
I think Kessel should stay with Evgeni Malkin even during this cold stretch. I would suggest moving Kunitz off the line and replacing him with Scott Wilson. Kunitz has hit a cold stretch and hasn’t been at his best in the most recent sample and Wilson’s
Tonight isn't the first time the Penguins will have played the New Jersey Devils on St. Patrick's Day. Prior contests include the 2-0 loss in 2014-15 and the 5-2 victory in 2011-12. Scoring for Pittsburgh in 2011-12 were James Neal, Matt Cooke (2), Pascal Dupuis, and Evgeni Malkin. Sid had three assists.
Thanks for reading!
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